The Big Island, the Orchid Isle

The Big Island of Hawaii is big, and it is still growing. Volcanic activity adds a little bit of new land to the southern coast every day. The Big Island offers many of the same experiences that Maui does, but in some cases on a grander scale. Mountain vistas, coastal drives, beaches, golf courses, and shopping are all available in abundance. The Big Island is a great choice for a trip to Hawaii.

The Big Island of Hawaii has five major sections. The Kona area on the west coast is arid and sunny, with fields of exposed lava rock and scrubbrush. The southern coast is dominated by the still-active volcanic activity of Hawaii Volcanies National Park. The east coast gets a lot of rain and is covered with waterfalls, gardens, and tropical forest, while the north Kohala coast contains some of the best beaches in the state. Finally, two huge volcanoes dominate the center of the island: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.